A view from outside. I've been reading this thread for a few weeks. That's why I know relatively exactly who was discussed here. But also who was NOT discussed. So I'll add my 2 cents too. For weeks, practically all experts have been saying that this draft is, firstly, weak and, above all, wide open. Ok, so be it. But why is there so little movement in the mocks and why are only the same six or seven names discussed here again and again?
That’s why I bring Jared McCain on the table, who is, in my opinion, currently the most underrated player from this class. Almost all mocks have it in the 20s. The Ringer now has him at 15. My theory: he could/should climb into the top 10. Because anyone who discusses Sheppard in the Top 10 should also discuss McCain. Yes I know, the numbers……..but. McCain still suffers from a slow start when he struggled to figure out his role as a low usage off guard. Took him (and Scheyer) a month. Remove those first 8 games (when he produced 7.6 PPG) and you get numbers close to Dillingham’s.
Common sense is that Sheppard is the best shooter in the draft. Right? My theory: McCain is the second best shooter in the draft and he will be the best shooter in this draft class in the NBA. Because McCain takes (and hits) absolutely every kind of 3-pointer. Of the catch, of the dribble, step back, transition, 5 feet behind the line, etc. great stroke, quick release.
They say, McCain is undersized for a shooting guard and not an explosive athlete. Yes. But we pretty much know that Sheppard will be measured 6’1’’ in socks (and Dillingham 6’0’’). McCain will be measured between 6’2 and 6’3 in socks. Not great for a two. But he isn’t a two. Well, at least he has all the tools to be a competent combo guard, if not a lead guard, in the NBA. Good ball handler, can stop on a dime, good feel for the game, decent passer (will get better, that’s the area most players improve). Duke plays a 3 guard line up and because of the fact, that McCain is so much better off the ball than Roach and Proctor, he just doesn’t get much of a chance to play on the ball. (He showed in High School he could.). You could claim we see the Kentucky effect with a Duke guard.
Defense. McCain is not a great defender. But he isn’t a bad defender either. He is not very quick, but he is definitely very strong. And he gives effort and plays physical. That’s also a reason way he is one of the better rebounder from this class. He has those super strong tree trunk legs and he uses his strength to box out, even much bigger players.
I don’t like the comparisons that most scouting reports use. (Seth Curry, Quickley, Forbes), I see him somewhere in the mold of Jamal Murray or Tyrese Maxey.
Talking about Maxey….if someone had brought him up as a Top 10 player in 2020, everyone would have called that a reach. Not a true PG, strong, but to small for a SG, not explosive enough, below the rim etc. Hindsight tells he was in fact Top 5.
Last but not least……McCain is smart. I mean very very smart. (4.0 GPA in high school). He is very eloquent, outstanding interviews. Charismatic. Very positive presence. Great teammate, great leader.
Would I consider him at pick 7. You bet. As much as Dillingham and Sheppard. And I would pick him over Topic anytime.
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, about frenchies they're drafting, who would tell them to stay away or at least not pick them that high... People scratch their heads in France sometimes when they see how french prospects are evaluated in the NBA.
